MINISINK VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Parent-school communications impact students' social and emotional development, their engagement in learning and academic achievement. The school year is fast approaching. Are you connected?

• Is your current contact information—including phone/email—on file with the school district? To be sure, login to your SchoolTool/Parent Portal account and review your contact information.
• Parents of NEW STUDENTS: Have you enrolled in the SchoolTool Parent Portal to view your student’s information throughout the school year? To learn more and sign up, go to the Parent Portal page.
• Do you have the SchoolTool mobile app to receive push-notifications? For complete information and to download, go to the Parent Portal page, or download directly from the Apple's iTunes store or the Google play store.

Let's stay connected throughout the school year using every tool available. And remember to stay on top of school and district news by checking in at minisink.com, or opening the news feed of our mobile app, and following us on Facebook.

The Registrar's office will open for new student registration on August 14, 16, 20, 22, 27, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

Come prepared: Go to the "New Students" page for complete registration information, including the list of required documents, and the six required registration forms found at the bottom of the page.

Bring all required registration documents and forms filled out—and your questions—to the Registrar, located in the district's administrative offices. We are ready to assist you, and to welcome you and your family to our school district.

The first phase of the $36.9 million capital project approved by voters in February 2017 has been underway since June 25 and is scheduled to conclude on August 31.

This summer’s construction has focused on the elementary and intermediate school buildings at the Minisink campus. Earlier in the summer, construction crews removed original vinyl asbestos tile from 25 classrooms at Minisink Valley Elementary School and have been replacing them with bright, new vinyl (non-asbestos) tile.

All 54 participants in the Swimming & Diving Camp underway this week are off to an impressive start. "We had some of the fastest times on day one!” said Brian Golden, head coach for the camp and the boys varsity swimming program. “These kids are serious swimmers, ready to go! The outlook is very promising."

Among campers, first grader Gavin loves swimming and hopes to get a lot better at it by week’s end. His sister Bernadette, a fifth grader, looks forward to swimming with her friends every day. Eight grader Brandon appreciates the coaching staff and their instruction, and third grader Page loves diving and making new friends.

The Warriors Cheerleading Summer Camp came to a spectacular closing on July 26, with the youngest of Minisink’s cheerleaders putting on a performance for their families in the high school gym.

During a camp session, first-time participant Taylor, a third grader, shared some insights while stopping at the water cooler. "I had a great day and I love to learn new cheers," Taylor said. When she goes home, she likes to demonstrate learned skills to her mom and dog Coco. Olivia, another third grader, prefers the camp’s stunt and dance components.

The Minisink Valley Swimming and Diving Summer Camp is a comprehensive program covering the four major swimming strokes, and the basic skills of competitive diving. Emphasizing the mastering of techniques for all aspects of the sport, the camp will be guided by Brian Golden, head coach for MV’s varsity boys swimming, with the assistance of varsity standouts.

Hosted by MVHS varsity cheerleaders, under the direction of Coach Patti Archiere, the cheerleading summer camp will cover cheerleading fundamentals (motions, technique), cheer, jumps, dance, training and conditioning, stunting (age appropriate), limited tumbling, games and prizes. The camp is open to ages 6-15, in all skill levels, and participants need not be Minisink residents.

• Hours: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Location: Minisink Valley High School
• Cost: $90 per child • $150 for two family members; $220 for three or more family members
• REGISTRATION FORM (Also available at www.minisinkhscheer.com)
• Additional Information: Contact Coach Archiere at mvyouthcheercamp@yahoo.com

It's never too early to explore microscopes, or dream about being a scientist! With the help high school science teacher, Mrs. Jordan, first graders in Mrs. McDermott's class had their first glimpse of the nervous system, and living cellular structures, through a series of microscope slides.

But that was only half of the excitement. For a full, hands-on experience, students created their own microscope slides—of their cheek cells! As any proper scientist would, they drew and wrote all about their personal observations.

Mrs. Jordan is patiently awaiting our first graders at the high school for new, and bolder scientific adventures.

Some people spend a lifetime planning to write a book, someday. But a group of second graders at MV Elementary couldn’t wait to get started.

Their teachers, Mrs. Mankoo and Mrs. Padavano, collaborated to develop an informational text writing unit. The students began by researching and becoming experts on a topic of their choice, consulting the Britannica site through Orange-Ulster BOCES.

Armed with their new, specialized knowledge, the students developed a rough draft, created T-charts to examine pros and cons, identified logical relations with Venn diagrams, used flow charts, parallel illustrations and other graphic organizers, edited their text, and published their first book—complete with a table of contents and vocabulary.